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  • our-author-supporters
  1. Our charity
  2. Our people
  3. Our Author Supporters

Our Author Supporters

At Coram Beanstalk we are passionate about helping children discover the pleasure of reading and to learn to love books. We are so lucky to have some incredible children's authors as Coram Beanstalk reading helpers but also many more who offer their time and support to help promote our work.

Abi Elphinstone

Abi Elphinstone

Abi has volunteered as a reading helper in London primary schools since 2015 and is also the author of the highly acclaimed Dreamsnatcher trilogy and Sky Song amongst others. Read more... Read more

Published: 1st January, 2019

Updated: 24th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Polly Faber

Polly Faber

Author of the Mango and Bambang series of books and picture books Grab That Rabbit and Picking Pickle, Polly has been supporting children with their reading as a volunteer for Coram Beanstalk since 2011. Read more... Read more

Published: 2nd December, 2018

Updated: 24th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Piers Torday

Piers Torday

Piers has been a Coram Beanstalk reading helper in London since 2012. He is also the author of The Last Wild Trilogy, There May be a Castle, The Lost Magician and The Frozen Sea. Read more... Read more

Published: 1st December, 2018

Updated: 24th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Peter Bunzl

Peter Bunzl

Peter’s debut novel Cogheart and follow up Moonlocket are both highly commended novels and Coram Beanstalk children in London have been benefitting from his support since 2017. Peter enthralled Coram Beanstalk children at BookFest 2018. Read more... Read more

Published: 1st November, 2018

Updated: 24th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Chris Callaghan

Chris Callaghan

Author of The Great Chocoplot, Chris has recently moved from his home in the North East to South London where he has just started volunteering as a Coram Beanstalk reading helper. Read more... Read more

Published: 1st October, 2018

Updated: 24th March, 2020

Author: Henriette Brun

Andy Seed

Andy Seed

Andy is best known for writing fun factual books including The Silly Book of Side-Splitting Stuff and The Clue is in the Poo. He’s an energetic advocate of reading for pleasure, loves doing events, and is excited to support Coram Beanstalk’s work in the South-West of England. Read more

Published: 30th August, 2018

Updated: 1st April, 2020

Author: Kate- Loynes

Dan Smith

Dan Smith

Dan Smith writes books for both adults and children and lives in the North East where he is a great advocate for Coram Beanstalk. His children's books include Boy X, Below Zero and The Invasion of Crooked Oak, which is published by the dyslexic-friendly publisher Barrington Stoke. Read more

Published: 15th August, 2018

Updated: 2nd April, 2020

Author: Kate- Loynes

Gary Hake

Gary Hake

Author of a series of books about a Viking and his dog, Gary writes and teaches in Kent so is particularly interested in supporting Coram Beanstalk in the South East. Read more... Read more

Published: 1st August, 2018

Updated: 24th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Gerald Smythe

Gerald Smythe

Gerald is a keen supporter of Coram Beanstalk’s work in the South East and is passionate about bringing stories to life through the Jack, Lilly and Friends book series. Read more... Read more

Published: 1st July, 2018

Updated: 24th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

John Dougherty

John Dougherty

John Dougherty is the author of many hilarious books including Oscar's Book Prize winner 2018 There's a Pig Up My Nose and also the Stinkbomb and Ketchup-face series. He is also a poet and songwriter, based in Gloucestershire, John is delighted to support our expansion into the county. Read more here.. Read more

Published: 1st June, 2018

Updated: 24th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Joyce Dunbar

Joyce Dunbar

Best known for lively, quirky picture books, many of Joyce’s books have been dramatized for stage and puppet shows. As a resident in Norfolk, Joyce is keen to help promote our work in the East of England. Read more... Read more

Published: 1st May, 2018

Updated: 24th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Kate Prendergast

Kate Prendergast

Illustrator of the beautiful Dog on a Train and Dog on a Digger wordless picture books, Kate joined Coram Beanstalk to help children read in 2017. Read more... Read more

Published: 1st April, 2018

Updated: 24th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Leonie Lord

Leonie Lord

Leonie has illustrated several picture books and Sofa Dog was her debut picture book as both author and illustrator. Read more... Read more

Published: 1st March, 2018

Updated: 24th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Lisa Stickley

Lisa Stickley

Lisa Stickley is an award winning designer, maker, author & illustrator whose picture books include Handstand, My New Room, Dress Like Mummy & The New Baby. As a mother and a struggling reader herself, Lisa is delighted to support our work whenever she is able. Read more

Published: 1st February, 2018

Updated: 24th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Lisa Thompson

Lisa Thompson

Lisa’s debut children’s book The Goldfish Boy was a huge success and she has recently published a second book, The Light Jar which is proving to be just as successful. Lisa is a supporter of our work in the East of England, where she lives in Suffolk. Read more... Read more

Published: 1st January, 2018

Updated: 24th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Lucy Strange

Lucy Strange

Lucy teaches English in a secondary school in Kent so is acutely aware of how important reading is to children progressing through their school careers. The author of The Secret of Nightingale Wood and Our Castle By The Sea, Lucy is hugely supportive of our work in the South East. Read more… Read more

Published: 1st December, 2017

Updated: 24th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Matt Oldfield

Matt Oldfield

Along with his brother Tom, Matt writes the popular Ultimate Football Heroes biographies for children and has been a Coram Beanstalk reading helper in both South and North London since 2017. Read more... Read more

Published: 1st November, 2017

Updated: 24th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Maz Evans

Maz Evans

Maz kindly took part in our 2017 BookFest donating an incredible talk to over 150 Coram Beanstalk-supported children. Read more... Read more

Published: 30th October, 2017

Updated: 2nd April, 2020

Author: Henriette Brun

Really Big Pants

Really Big Pants

Really Big Pants are a theatre company who perform shows specifically for children and have recently published a chapter book of their brilliant show, Suddenly!. They have performed their shows to Coram Beanstalk school as prizes for children nominated by their reading helpers, appeared at our BookFests and even mention Coram Beanstalk in the foreword of their new book. They also like cake.. Read more here... Read more

Published: 1st October, 2017

Updated: 24th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Ross Montgomery

Ross Montgomery

Having been a teacher for seven years, Ross Montgomery is only too aware of how important it is for children to discover the joy of reading. Author of books for all ages, including the recently published Max and the Millions, we are thrilled to have Ross as an Author Supporter. Read more... Read more

Published: 1st September, 2017

Updated: 24th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Samantha Baines

Samantha Baines

Samantha is an award-winning comedian, actress (Call the Midwife, The Crown, Silent Witness) and author. Her children's book Harriet versus the Galaxy features a protagonist who wears a hearing aid - just like Samantha who suffers from tinnitus. Samantha appeared at Coram Beanstalk's BookFest 2019. Read more... Read more

Published: 30th August, 2017

Updated: 2nd April, 2020

Author: Kate- Loynes

Sophy Henn

Sophy Henn

Sophy Henn helped us launch Story Starters in London. She writes and illustrates children's books in her studio and was also the World Book Day Illustrator for 2015 and 2016. Read more here.. Read more

Published: 1st August, 2017

Updated: 10th September, 2020

Author: Henriette Brun

Stanley Salmons

Stanley Salmons

Stanley has written 42 short stories and is a great supporter of Coram Beanstalk, particularly in the North West. Read more... Read more

Published: 1st July, 2017

Updated: 24th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Steve Cole

Steve Cole

Steve is not only the best-selling author of many children’s books including the Astrosaurs, Cows in Action and Young Bond series but also a strong advocate for our work. Read more... Read more

Published: 1st June, 2017

Updated: 24th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Steve Antony

Steve Antony

Writer and illustrator of much-loved picture books including The Queen’s Hat and the Mr Panda series, Steve has been hugely helpful in supporting our launch in the South West. Read more..... Read more

Published: 1st May, 2017

Updated: 24th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Tom Palmer

Tom Palmer

Writing very popular children’s books about sport and history, Tom is a special supporter of our work in Yorkshire. Read more... Read more

Published: 1st April, 2017

Updated: 24th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

Tor Freeman

Tor Freeman

Tor Freeman is a highly acclaimed freelance illustrator from London who has helped us with designing publicity materials for an event at Wimbledon Bookfest. Her bespoke Coram Beanstalk banner celebrates everything we believe in. Read more... Read more

Published: 1st March, 2017

Updated: 24th October, 2019

Author: Henriette Brun

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Coram Beanstalk is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Copyright © 2019 Coram Beanstalk. Coram Beanstalk, Coram Campus, 41 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AZ. Registered Charity No. 296454 (England and Wales). Registered as a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales No. 2101719.
All images are from Coram Beanstalk’s stock image library and are for representation only. Names in case studies have been changed to protect identities. All rights reserved.
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This website is administered by Coram Beanstalk as lead partner in the Story Starters programme. Coram Beanstalk is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Copyright © 2017 Coram Beanstalk. Coram Beanstalk, Coram Campus, 41 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AZ. Registered Charity No. 296454 (England and Wales). Registered as a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales No. 2101719. All images are from Coram Beanstalk’s stock image library and are for representation only. Names in case studies have been changed to protect identities. All rights reserved.

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With schools resuming full service from March 8th we are preparing to work with schools to provide much needed support to children. Our reading helpers will return as soon as both schools and volunteers are ready. We also have other ways to support so if you are interested please contact us here